But the long-time women's mentor believed the positive result was second to the exposure the women's game received in the region this week.

The regional game was one of two curtain raisers before the Wallaroos-Japan Test.

New Zealand Defence Force were too strong for their Australian counterparts 41-0 in the other warm-up game. Hunter trio Renee Cross (halfback), Sammy McCarthur (prop) and Brooke Saunders (No.8) were in the ADFA team.

As well as play Southern Inland, Hunter had an opposed training session with Japan last Tuesday.

About 1500 people were at No.2 Sportsground for the Hunter game, which featured a number of rising stars.

"It is a fantastic occasion and to kick it off with our girls was a great opportunity," Mason said. "It is great that young girls, not only in our team but those playing in the women's and junior comps, can see that elite pathways are accessible from their own back yard."

Boosted by the inclusion of senior pair Holly Smith (fly-half) and Tammy Clay (prop), Hunter led 12-5 at half-time despite being camped in their own half for long periods.

"The wind was swirling and made it quite tough for both teams.," Mason said. "The girls opted to try and run it out which didn't work so well. We corrected that at halftime and spent most of the second half in the opposition 22 and the points flowed from there. Holly Smith was like the conductor of the orchestra with our backs. Really calm and great for the young girls who played outside her. Tammy Clay was hard as always up front.

"It was also a great captain's knock from Britney Duff. Hayley Amm, the vice captain, led the forwards all day. Of the young ones, Nicole Nathan and Emma Bradford were great in the centres. Tia Tauffao off the bench, ran hard and put a kick into the corner which set up a try. Anika Butler was solid defensively on the wing and Liz Kennedy was fantastic with her talk from fullback."